“PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS”
by Contributor
(Feb. 26, 2020) — Being in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence can be a scary and overwhelming event, especially if it causes you to become injured in any way. Whether you’re in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, a workplace accident, or any other situation that leaves you injured at the hands of someone else, you could be entitled to compensation. In these situations, it’s always important to remain calm because the first few steps you take afterward can affect your claim and can change the amount of compensation you could get.
If you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to help receive the compensation you are entitled to after an accident, here are the first three steps you should take.
- Seek medical attention
Even if you think you are feeling alright, you should always see a doctor right away. There could be an underlying issue you may not be aware of, so it’s a good way to make sure you actually are taken care of. Getting medical care immediately also helps add weight to your personal injury claim. If you wait days or weeks after your accident and then seek medical attention, it can be incredibly hard to prove that the injuries you sustained were the result of the accident in question.
- Have documentation of everything
Having everything in writing will help your claim immensely because it helps prove what happened and what the result was. You should keep detailed notes of your medical treatment and obtain a copy of your medical records, if possible. It’s also helpful to document the names and addresses of any and all medical professionals you visit for treatment, including doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, or any other specialists you were referred to. If you need any medical devices like crutches or are prescribed any medicine, keep the receipts. If you spend money on travel to get to your appointments or have to miss work and temporarily lose some income, keep notes on that as well. To be on the safe side, keep all correspondence between you and your doctor, such as emails or notes from phone calls.
Be sure to also record all the details of the accident as soon as you can, while the memories of the events are still fresh in your mind. Write down what exactly happened, as well as the names and contact information of anyone else involved, including witnesses. Take photos of the accident and the surrounding area if applicable (for example, if you were in a car accident, take photos of the road signs and traffic lights nearby).
- Tell the person about the lawsuit
There is no set time frame on when you should notify the person or company about your lawsuit, but it’s recommended to do it as soon as possible. However, there is a statute of limitations on filing a claim. If you act sooner than later, you increase the chances of resolving your claim quicker than if you were to take your time and delay. Be sure to notify them so you can preserve your rights and avoid the argument from the other person that you waited too long to disclose your injuries. This way, you can proceed with negotiations at your own speed and get an outcome sooner, so you can put the matter behind you and move on with your life.